The European elections 2009

Where is our Barack Obama?

Starting from the 4th of June EU elections are held in 27 countries. Media and Politicians alike have devoted themselves to think up reports, documentations and witty campaigns to interest the people in casting their votes, but 2009s EU elections will go down in history with the worst turnout ever. 325 Million people across Europe are eligible to vote, 10 % of them are young people. But only one in three of the 18 to 24 year olds planed on voting. The contradiction lies in the details


By SUSANNE WERNICKE
from Greiffenberg, GERMANY


According to European wide conducted polls it is young people that have an increased trust in the European Union. Yet First time voters are said to be the group least likely to step up to the ballot box. Political activist groups in Germany such as the JEF (Young European Federalists) spend even the last days prior to the 4th of June in the streets of Berlin. Jenny Neubert is one of the students of JEF: "All we ask people to do is go and vote, nothing else. It is a simple statement and so far they have liked it."

However, it is not too clear what are the reasons for the lack of interest in European elections, nor why is it that people confide in the EU but do not know whom to vote for.

The US and European youth

The beginning of the year 2009 saw the first black man sworn into the highest office in the US. Barack Obama became president of the still most powerful country in the world. All across the globe people watched him rise to power for over a year. Slogans used during the campaign among which 'Yes, We Can' is probably the most prominent have become words suggesting freedom, progress and unity. During Obama's run for office media followed his every step. People identified with the man so promising and different embracing all cultures and religions with the right ideas to improve the US position at home and abroad. Obama embodies all that is needed in this era of innovation. Most significantly throughout the campaign was the participation of young people, the trust and devotion to support their candidate. A fact that these European elections are lacking.

Political analyst Regise Dandoy knows that candidates and parties on the one hand don't invest time in young people. On the other hand though, young people fall short of interest and motivation for the political agenda of Europe.

AEGEE (Association des Etats Généraux des Etudiants de l'Europe) is a student organization aiming at promoting also a unified Europe, open society, democracy and is based in Brussels. For the European elections they ran a program that gives voice to the young. Dragan Stojanovski, manager of the Y Vote 09 campaign says in an interview: "We hope that we can work together with the new EU parliament to make the ideas of young people part of their lives." The program had young Europeans gather every two weeks to discuss their issues and ideas. According to discussions held in forums of the online magazine cafebabel.com, education is the number one concern of the youth today, environment, climate change and energy are ranked second and third.

As much as campaigns, projects and initiatives had an impact on the young, the impact will be short lasting and will not change the fact that Belgian voters reportedly did not know the date of the elections and that they felt poorly informed.

Without a 'Man of the crowd'

So what is it exactly that sparked a tremendous interest among Americans and Europeans alike in the US elections but left Europeans rather indifferent about their own parliamentary elections?

Jenny Neubert and Vincent Venus of JEF figure that the EU is unappreciated and taken for granted. Moreover, Vincent says: "People have to realize that the EU parliament is the only legitimate tool as it is directly elected by the people."

And yet, the major difference the EU elections are lacking in comparison to the US is a candidate. Due to the big varieties of parties, candidates and agendas it is difficult to follow what is currently happening. If parties would invest finding an ideal candidate that connects with the people, that is a man of the crowd. Somebody who combines a fresh approach with a serious take on EU and world issues European parties would be much closer to their voters. Especially the young ones.


(Published: 20.06.2009.)